Novak Djokovic overcomes Grigor Dimitrov in three sets to reach the fourth round at the Australian Open on Saturday.
The 31-year-old’s best result at the hard-court major came in 2017, when he advanced to the semi-finals. "I thought a double break in the third was going to be enough, but he was locked in. Up until the very last shot, I did not know if I was going to prevail," Djokovic said. Dimitrov was aiming to reach the fourth round in Melbourne for the seventh time. 1 scrambled to win the first set, saving three set points before he converted his fifth set point with a diving forehand volley. However, the Serbian dug deep and overcame the 27th seed 7-6(7), 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round.
It's no secret that Novak Djokovic is fighting against more than his opponents at this year's Australian Open.
Djokovic was given a hero’s welcome in the court he has made his personal proving ground since 2008 when he won his first of nine Australian Open titles. It may have heightened concern in his coaching box, but didn’t seem to fluster Djokovic, who was able to handle the pressure points brilliantly. Visibly hampered by the heavily taped hamstring, Djokovic pulled up gingerly on several points in the opening set out of caution.
Novak Djokovic continued to defy a hamstring injury as a straight-sets victory over Grigor Dimitrov sent him into the fourth round of the Australian Open.
De Minaur, who had a comfortable afternoon against France’s Benjamin Bonzi, is not reading too much into Djokovic’s injury, saying: “Ultimately he’s one of the best players in the world, and I’m just going to have to take it to him and not shy away from the occasion. I don’t know what awaits, but I do hope and I have faith for the best.” Djokovic said: “It kind of always starts well and then some movement happens and then it gets worse.
Having complained of drunken fans 'trying to get in my head' during his second round win over Enzo Couacaud, another fan tried their luck in attempting to ...
A heavily-strapped but more aggressive Djokovic emerged from a medical timeout and built pressure with his relentless returns from the back, going up 4-2 as 27th seed Dimitrov hit the net to surrender his serve, and went on to wrap up the second set. As Djokovic prepared himself to direct a serve at his Bulgarian opponent, somebody shouted 'Come on Roger', in reference to Swiss tennis great Federer whom a number of fans rank as the best to ever play the sport, above Djokovic. - Novak Djokovic responded to a heckle in the best possible fashion in Melbourne
Novak Djokovic has added his voice to the long list of current and former players asking for the late nights at Grand Slams to become a thing of the past.
[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) [News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/news/) I’m just very grateful that I’m actually able to play. [Live Tennis](https://www.tennis365.com/category/live-tennis/) That works for a little bit, then it doesn’t, then works again. [Tennis News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/tennis-news/) For us, it’s really grueling. The way it looked just before the tournament started, I thought that it wouldn’t be possible. “I would agree with his points. That’s the ultimate decision maker. “I think for us players… It’s kind of a circumstances that you have to accept.
Novak Djokovic beat Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (7), 6-3, 6-4 despite his hamstring injury and will now face the home favourite Alex de Minaur.
“He has improved a lot, has Lleyton [Hewitt] in his corner – that’s a great team.” “De Minaur is one of the quickest players on the tour, the quickest guy,” he said. How to turn a precarious contest into a regulation win, with one heavily taped leg buckling beneath him, as if it is just the normal thing to do? A minute or so before Djokovic was feeling grateful, he and Dimitrov played a 31-point rally until the latter overcooked a shot to give the Serb two match points. Loth to miss out, Dimitrov did the same, mimicking his close friend, who was about to beat him. He was still on Rod Laver Arena, having survived the pain of his troublesome hamstring and then thrived despite it to see off Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (7), 6-3, 6-4.
Novak Djokovic continued his charge towards a 10th Australian Open title with a superb 7-6(7) 6-3 6-4 victory over Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov to reach the ...
A half-fit Djokovic can still be a handful for most players but the fourth seed looked a little more certain of his mobility in the third set and a double break to start helped him subdue the error-prone Dimitrov who failed to make a late comeback. A heavily-strapped but more aggressive Djokovic emerged from a medical timeout and built pressure with his relentless returns from the back, going up 4-2 as 27th seed Dimitrov hit the net to surrender his serve, and went on to wrap up the second set. MELBOURNE, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic continued his charge towards a 10th Australian Open title with a superb 7-6(7) 6-3 6-4 victory over Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov to reach the fourth round on Saturday but fears about the durability of his injured left hamstring only grew.
Novak Djokovic admitted his hamstring issue is a concern following his third-round win against Grigor Dimitrov at the Australian Open.
I don't know what awaits, but I do hope and I have faith for the best.” “I think I started the match really well, feeling good. The first match was good. I just found a way to win in such an exciting match, big battle, over three hours for three sets,” Djokovic said. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings if he wins a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title in Melbourne, was pleased with how he battled against the 27th seed. However, question marks remain over the Serbian’s fitness as he once again struggled with a hamstring injury.
Novak Djokovic continued his charge towards a 10th Australian Open title with a superb victory over Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov to reach the fourth round on ...
"Ultimately he's one of the best players in the world, and I'm just going to have to take it to him and not shy away from the occasion. I don't know what awaits, but I do hope and I have faith for the best." I'm just very grateful that I'm actually able to play. Djokovic said: "It kind of always starts well and then some movement happens and then it gets worse. Having beaten Dimitrov nine times in their previous 10 meetings probably helped. It's kind of circumstances that you have to accept.
Novak Djokovic overcame hamstring issues during his clash with Grigor Dimitrov on Saturday to book his spot in the Australian Open fourth round via a 7-6(7) ...
In reaching the last 16, Djokovic has set up a showdown with 22nd seed and home favourite Alex de Minaur. With momentum building in favour of the veteran, he notched two early breaks in the third as Dimitrov continued making mistakes. One or two uncomfortable movements saw Djokovic pull up and move cautiously on his left leg, however, which began to bother him at the end of the first set.
The nine-times champion is through to the fourth round, but not without a few dramas against No 27 seed Grigor Dimitrov. Djokovic grimaced with pain and fell to ...
The nine-times champion is through to the fourth round, but not without a few dramas against No 27 seed Grigor Dimitrov. That works for a little bit, then it doesn’t, then works again. Djokovic was more forthcoming about the ongoing injury which required treatment through an official medical timeout after he had narrowly clinched the first set.
Djokovic called for the trainer at the end of a tight first set in his victory over Grigor Dimitrov ov Saturday, requiring a medical timeout as he received a ...
“The first match it felt really good, the second match I had a couple of moments where it felt really bad, and today as well. “But it is what it is, it’s kind of the circumstances you have to accept and I’m actually very grateful I’m able to play. That also makes it difficult for the opponent. But Novak wouldn't behave like that if he had nothing." "I've known him for a long time and I know that he has problems with his thigh. "Novak is now going for the quick points,” Becker told Eurosport.
Speaking to Eurosport, tennis legend Becker suggested claims that Djokovic is "bluffing" with his injury are wide of the mark.